It’s easy to stay cooped up at home all winter, especially when the temperatures drop even lower than they normally do and the road conditions are less than ideal. And the rain. Oh, the PNW mix of rain, sleet, and gray skies! But the truth is, some of our cities and towns are even more charming in the winter than they are in the summer. In fact, the Evergreen State is home to some downright adorable towns that make for picture-perfect winter day trips! If you can deal with the chill in the air, we definitely encourage you to go adventuring this season… but be sure to start your exploring with a visit to one of the best, most charming winter towns in Washington.
- Chelan
Pictoscribe / Flickr Whether you’re there for Christmas, Winterfest or just a winter getaway, you’ll find that the Lake Chelan area is truly a wonderful place to be even in winter. This adorable little locale is Washington’s very own winter wonderland! Lake Chelan, Washington, USA
- Snohomish
Joe Wolf / Flickr There’s no doubt about it – Snohomish is a charming place. The historic downtown area is full of boutiques, restaurants, and more antique shops than you can count. In fact, it’s known as the Antique Capital of the Northwest! Snohomish’s downtown area is chock full of antique shops to explore, and you can also take a beautiful stroll down by the river before warming up in one of the tempting cafes. Snohomish, WA, USA
- Chewelah
teas Smith / Flickr The quiet and clean little city of Chewelah, Washington, is about an hour north of Spokane, and it is one of our absolute favorite hidden gem towns in the state. During the colder months of year, a coating of snow makes it look extra charming, not to mention the sledding, tubing, and snowmobiling it makes possible. Chewelah, WA 99109, USA
- Stevenson
Big River Grill Facebook The charming town of Stevenson in Skamania County is close to several great trails for winter hikes, and they’re also the home of the gorgeous Skamania Lodge, which offers plenty of winter activities. Of course, you’ll have fun just watching the snow fall from the Big River Grill (pictured here), sipping mulled wine. This is one of the most criminally overlooked places in the PNW, and it’s absolutely enchanting in the winter! Stevenson, WA 98648, USA
- Poulsbo
Historic Downtown Poulsbo/Facebook Poulsbo is a little fishing town on Liberty Bay in North Kitsap County. Its nickname, Little Norway, originated from the many Norwegian Americans who settled there in the late 1800s. Poulsbo still has quite a few Norwegian immigrants and their descendants, and there are touches of Norway reflected all over town. Downtown Poulsbo has an abundance of shops, boutiques, and art galleries locals and visitors alike tend to love, and the charm factor is irresistible after a fresh blanket of snow!
- Republic
K Diamond K Guest Ranch Facebook You may have a tough time reaching this picturesque Old West-style town in Northeast Washington, but if the winter roads are clear enough, you’ll be glad you made the journey. The K Diamond K Guest Ranch is a magical place to stay in Republic this time of year. Republic, WA 99166, USA
- Ellensburg
Ellensburg Downtown Association Facebook Central Washington’s winter weather can be intense, but the sight of downtown Ellensburg decked out in lights and dusted with snow is downright delightful. This is small-town Washington at its finest! Ellensburg, WA, USA
- Snoqualmie
Paul Stanley/Flickr If you think Snoqualmie Falls is a beautiful place in the summer, just wait until you see it when the waterfall freezes.
- Leavenworth
Amy Meredith / Flickr If you missed the Christmas tree lighting festivities in Leavenworth over the holidays, you’ll be pleased as punch to learn that the magical lights stay up through the middle February, and the snow tends to stick around too! Talk about a #pnwwonderland! Leavenworth, WA 98826, USA
With so many quaint, snow-dusted places to choose from in our beautiful state, it’s a challenge to choose the best winter towns in Washington! But we think these sweet places are a fantastic place to start! Have you visited any of these charming Evergreen State towns in the winter? Do you have any tips for making the most of your visit?
Pictoscribe / Flickr
Whether you’re there for Christmas, Winterfest or just a winter getaway, you’ll find that the Lake Chelan area is truly a wonderful place to be even in winter. This adorable little locale is Washington’s very own winter wonderland!
Lake Chelan, Washington, USA
Joe Wolf / Flickr
There’s no doubt about it – Snohomish is a charming place. The historic downtown area is full of boutiques, restaurants, and more antique shops than you can count. In fact, it’s known as the Antique Capital of the Northwest! Snohomish’s downtown area is chock full of antique shops to explore, and you can also take a beautiful stroll down by the river before warming up in one of the tempting cafes.
Snohomish, WA, USA
teas Smith / Flickr
The quiet and clean little city of Chewelah, Washington, is about an hour north of Spokane, and it is one of our absolute favorite hidden gem towns in the state. During the colder months of year, a coating of snow makes it look extra charming, not to mention the sledding, tubing, and snowmobiling it makes possible.
Chewelah, WA 99109, USA
Big River Grill Facebook
The charming town of Stevenson in Skamania County is close to several great trails for winter hikes, and they’re also the home of the gorgeous Skamania Lodge, which offers plenty of winter activities. Of course, you’ll have fun just watching the snow fall from the Big River Grill (pictured here), sipping mulled wine. This is one of the most criminally overlooked places in the PNW, and it’s absolutely enchanting in the winter!
Stevenson, WA 98648, USA
Historic Downtown Poulsbo/Facebook
Poulsbo is a little fishing town on Liberty Bay in North Kitsap County. Its nickname, Little Norway, originated from the many Norwegian Americans who settled there in the late 1800s. Poulsbo still has quite a few Norwegian immigrants and their descendants, and there are touches of Norway reflected all over town. Downtown Poulsbo has an abundance of shops, boutiques, and art galleries locals and visitors alike tend to love, and the charm factor is irresistible after a fresh blanket of snow!
K Diamond K Guest Ranch Facebook
You may have a tough time reaching this picturesque Old West-style town in Northeast Washington, but if the winter roads are clear enough, you’ll be glad you made the journey. The K Diamond K Guest Ranch is a magical place to stay in Republic this time of year.
Republic, WA 99166, USA
Ellensburg Downtown Association Facebook
Central Washington’s winter weather can be intense, but the sight of downtown Ellensburg decked out in lights and dusted with snow is downright delightful. This is small-town Washington at its finest!
Ellensburg, WA, USA
Paul Stanley/Flickr
If you think Snoqualmie Falls is a beautiful place in the summer, just wait until you see it when the waterfall freezes.
Amy Meredith / Flickr
If you missed the Christmas tree lighting festivities in Leavenworth over the holidays, you’ll be pleased as punch to learn that the magical lights stay up through the middle February, and the snow tends to stick around too! Talk about a #pnwwonderland!
Leavenworth, WA 98826, USA
For even more things to do in Washington, check out some of the best state parks to visit in Washington in winter.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter Day Trips in Washington December 19, 2021 Sarah What’s the prettiest winter town in Washington? It’s no secret that Leavenworth is a dream of a destination; this Washington town is straight out of a Hallmark movie all year long, whether you’re paddling down the dazzling Wenatchee River mid-summer, eating your weight in brats and sauerkraut during Oktoberfest, or delighting in holiday festivities come Christmastime. But it’s after the holiday season when the magic truly happens in Leavenworth, during the coldest months of the year. It’s this peaceful, post-holiday time when Leavenworth truly glows; the crowds have left, and what remains is a twinkling little locale in one of the most beautiful areas of the country (the holiday lights in Leavenworth typically stay lit through Valentine’s Day, in fact!). Add a blanket of fresh (though probably fleeting, because we are in the PNW) snow, and Leavenworth is a real-life winter wonderland that will make you weak in the knees. What are the best small town Main Streets in Washington? Charming small towns abound in Washington, a state with some 300 cities and small towns. And there’s no denying that the small town charm is especially strong here, even for those who prefer city living. If you’re looking for an authentic small town experience, look no further than these seven delightful locales in the Evergreen State!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter Day Trips in Washington
December 19, 2021
Sarah
What’s the prettiest winter town in Washington? It’s no secret that Leavenworth is a dream of a destination; this Washington town is straight out of a Hallmark movie all year long, whether you’re paddling down the dazzling Wenatchee River mid-summer, eating your weight in brats and sauerkraut during Oktoberfest, or delighting in holiday festivities come Christmastime. But it’s after the holiday season when the magic truly happens in Leavenworth, during the coldest months of the year. It’s this peaceful, post-holiday time when Leavenworth truly glows; the crowds have left, and what remains is a twinkling little locale in one of the most beautiful areas of the country (the holiday lights in Leavenworth typically stay lit through Valentine’s Day, in fact!). Add a blanket of fresh (though probably fleeting, because we are in the PNW) snow, and Leavenworth is a real-life winter wonderland that will make you weak in the knees. What are the best small town Main Streets in Washington? Charming small towns abound in Washington, a state with some 300 cities and small towns. And there’s no denying that the small town charm is especially strong here, even for those who prefer city living. If you’re looking for an authentic small town experience, look no further than these seven delightful locales in the Evergreen State!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
It’s no secret that Leavenworth is a dream of a destination; this Washington town is straight out of a Hallmark movie all year long, whether you’re paddling down the dazzling Wenatchee River mid-summer, eating your weight in brats and sauerkraut during Oktoberfest, or delighting in holiday festivities come Christmastime. But it’s after the holiday season when the magic truly happens in Leavenworth, during the coldest months of the year. It’s this peaceful, post-holiday time when Leavenworth truly glows; the crowds have left, and what remains is a twinkling little locale in one of the most beautiful areas of the country (the holiday lights in Leavenworth typically stay lit through Valentine’s Day, in fact!). Add a blanket of fresh (though probably fleeting, because we are in the PNW) snow, and Leavenworth is a real-life winter wonderland that will make you weak in the knees.
What are the best small town Main Streets in Washington?
Charming small towns abound in Washington, a state with some 300 cities and small towns. And there’s no denying that the small town charm is especially strong here, even for those who prefer city living. If you’re looking for an authentic small town experience, look no further than these seven delightful locales in the Evergreen State!
